NEW ORLEANS – The Saints outlasted Nick Foles and a disastrous first quarter to bring the NFC title game back to the Superdome for the first time since their Super Bowl-winning 2009 season.

The 20-14 outcome was far less assured than the 48-7 throttling the Saints had dealt the Eagles 56 days earlier.

But Drew Brees rebounded from an interception on his opening pass, the Saints secondary shored up leaky early coverage to snag two interceptions and New Orleans held on after the team took its first lead with 1:44 to go in the third. Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore hauled in an interception in the closing minutes to seal the game after a pass went through the hands of Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.

The Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams with “home dome” advantage in the NFC title game at 3:05 p.m. ET next Sunday.

Here are three things we learned in the Saints' win:

1. Don’t bet against Drew Brees and Sean Payton in the postseason at the Superdome

The decibel levels hushed quickly after Brees’ opening interception, just his second at the Superdome all year and sixth total in this campaign. A 30-yard, 2-for-6 first quarter left the Saints signal-caller with an 11.1 passer rating. A fumbled snap, twice-overturned strip-sack and delay of game didn’t help matters. But Brees was consistent and effective in guiding the Saints the remaining three quarters, from a 42-yard pass after a fake punt in the second quarter, to quick darts spread between multiple receivers in the end zone. He steadily overtook the Eagles with a drive stretching 11:29 of the third quarter, the longest in NFL postseason history since 2000, per ESPN Stats and Info. Brees didn’t turn the ball over on his last 37 attempts. He maintained his perfect postseason record at the Superdome, now a string of six straight with a chance for No. 7 next week.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.(Photo: Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY Sports)

2. Foles magic runs out at the hand of Saints D

It was there, all right. The defending Super Bowl MVP, playing his first game at the Superdome this season (Carson Wentz quarterbacked the 48-7 loss before fracturing his back), came out hot. Foles completed eight of nine passes for 113 yards in the first quarter, both throwing and rushing for touchdowns. Saints cornerback P.J. Williams oddly stopped trailing Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews on Foles’ passing touchdown, a 37-yard cross-body dart to the left side of the end zone. He found Alshon Jeffery in air down the right sideline for 30 yards the next drive. Two plays later, balancing atop his offensive linemen on his right hip, Foles stretched for the Eagles’ second score. But Foles didn’t manage 100 yards in the remaining three quarters combined. He couldn’t score again, even though the Saints lost pass-rushing force Sheldon Rankins in the first quarter to what they believe is a season-ending torn Achilles, per reports. And Foles threw two costly interceptions, the second effectively sealing a New Orleans win with 2:01 to play.

3. Michael Thomas is a stud, again

The Saints’ leading receiver – 1,409 yards, nine scores in regular season – caught balls anywhere and everywhere as he racked up 171 yards on 12 catches, including the 2-yard touchdown reception that gave New Orleans its first lead of the game with 1:44 to play in the third quarter. Thomas also caught consecutive short passes before Brees’ first score (a 2-yard touchdown to Keith Kirkwood) and followed a momentum-changing Saints punt with a 42-yard pass, half the distance of which came after the catch. Thomas was a reliable, productive and explosive target for Brees throughout the game. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram pitched in key runs, but Thomas was the difference maker Sunday.

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) celebrates with fans after intercepting a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shouts to an official after a sack by the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23), middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53), and defensive back J.C. Jackson (27) react after a tackle during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts from the sidelines during the second quarter against the New England Patriots in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (34) celebrates with tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and quarterback Tom Brady (12) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) lifts quarterback Tom Brady (12) after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (13) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Desmond King (20) during the second quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts after a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) runs against Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots running back James White (28) runs against Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips (31) during the first quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and singer Bon Jovi walk onto the field during warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) and defensive back Keion Crossen (35) walk onto the field for warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers
in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Winslow Townson, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams running back C.J. Anderson (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) loses his shoe while running with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Ben Niemann (56) reacts after the Indianapolis Colts missed a field goal during the second quarter in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (12) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Reggie Ragland (59) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack (25) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Divisional playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports

Fans arrive to a snow covered Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL divisional football playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. Charlie Riedel, AP

Kansas City Chiefs fan wear the jerseys of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes as they wait in the stands before an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. Charlie Riedel, AP